Brown rallies support for her run in 189th Dist.

Friday

Mar 26, 2010 at 12:01 AM

Rosemary Brown held a kickoff reception with a gathering of 70 at Four Seasons diner in her Middle Smithfield hometown last Thursday, March 18, for her campaign as Republican candidate for state Representative in the 189th District against Democrat incumbent John Siptroth.

SUSAN JORSTAD

Rosemary Brown held a kickoff reception with a gathering of 70 at Four Seasons diner in her Middle Smithfield hometown last Thursday, March 18, for her campaign as Republican candidate for state Representative in the 189th District against Democrat incumbent John Siptroth.

Campaigning for the May 18 primary election, with the general election on Nov. 9,Brown says she intends to put a stop to excess spending and taxing and to get Pennsylvania back on track with attracting new business and jobs. She has experience in executive business management for Macy's, Sax Fifth Avenue and BonTon; in pharmaceutical sales for Hoffmann-La Roche Inc in Nutley, N.J. and opthamology sales for Vistakon, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care. Her business background entails meeting hundreds of people, managing budgets and quotas and controlling costs.

"I think we're gonna need that at the state level as well," she told supporters Thursday night. "It's wrong that Gov. Rendell and friends have increased spending "» to a deficit of $2.5 billion. It's wrong that (they) have not contributed to their pension for the last eight years. It's wrong that (they) are taking casino revenue originally slotted to support school systems here, to fund a sports arena in Pittsburgh. It's wrong that (they) want to toll I-80 and send the bulk of the revenue to Philadelphia. "» The people of Monroe and Pike are drowning in taxes."

Since she left working in the corporate sector to raise a family that includes her three children — daughter Kennedy, 9, son Carter, 5, and daughter Reagan, 3, all named for former presidents — skeptics wonder if she is prepared for the sacrifices required by the job. "I'm not a stranger to the full-time workforce or the non-traditional 9-to-5. This position means something more to me than any other job, for what it can do for my family and other families and the future of the kids. I am extremely dedicated and supported.

"As parents, you always want the best for your children — a happy, prosperous life. The reality is, that will be very difficult in the future. It's time to take control back for our children. It's been a long time coming — the whole situation we're in as a state and country. How could you not think about running? We need to explore other options to reduce excessive spending, just like you would in your own household.

Brown said she is also hopeful that the 2010 census will create redistricting and more equitable funding distribution for Monroe and Pike.

She is launching her campaign on a pledge of no new taxes and job creation. "People can't afford it any more," Brown said. "Residents are stressed to their financial limits. We need good paying jobs, a stronger economy. We need to attract new businesses to keep Pennsylvania competitive. Pennsylvania needs to be attractive to businesses so we don't lose businesses to other states or other countries. At least keep the jobs here. We need to reduce taxes and regulations on businesses, and we need to invest in small business and technology. You can't overregulate or overtax small businesses — they're the ones that actually drive the creation of jobs."

A 1988 alumna of East Stroudsburg High School and the University of Scranton, Brown has lived in the Poconos for 35 years. She and husband Joe Brown, vice president of RGB Homes in Marshalls Creek (and her high school sweetheart), did most of the legwork to collect signatures on her petition to run, driving door-to-door following a February snowstorm.

"We got almost double (the number) we needed and great support from those who signed," she said.

And some lent their voices in support at the reception.

"Last year, (the statehouse) Democrats voted for $1 billion in tax increases without ever seeing a line item budget, and they passed the budget 101 days late," Scavello told the crowd. "They're going to pass a budget next week — 101 days early — but this year they're gonna vote for a budget without seeing any revenue. We're $500 million short. The government doesn't make money, folks. We take it from taxes."

Scavello added that under Gov. Ed Rendell, the commonwealth has seen an increase of 700,000 people to its welfare rolls. "We keep investing the dollars in welfare. "» it's gonna go right into prisons/corrections. I'm one person. We need to take back the majority.

"I have 100 percent confidence in Rosemary," Scavello continued. "I'm not even going to name the other guy — I'm not happy with him. He's a nice guy, but what he's doing in Harrisburg is hurting Monroe and Pike counties."

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.